The department of basic education has called for comments to improve the national curriculum from grade four to 12.
This follows ongoing criticism about the overloading of the curriculum in particular in the intermediate phase from grade four to seven, which means teachers struggle to cover all they work they should.
Other areas of concern include inadequate teacher orientation and support as well as the paperwork and administration that the curriculum demands from teachers in particular in terms of learner assessment.
The national curriculum statement was introduced in schools from 2004 onwards following an earlier review of the outcomes-based curriculum 2005.
The department invited teachers, NGOs, higher education experts and parents to participate in the process to strengthen the curriculum, but comments have to be submitted by July 24.
“This process is intended to obtain first-hand information on the pressure points and to find solutions that will improve the efficiency of curriculum delivery in the classroom,” the department said in a statement.
Comments should be captured in writing and be specific to the phase of the schooling system (intermediate, senior or further education and training phase). Those who comment should also indicated in what capacity they comment, for instance as parents, teachers or researchers.
For more information on the process and the format of the submissions can be obtained from the department of education’s home page http://www.education.gov.za/ under What’s New? or the educational portal Thutong at www.thutong.doe.gov.za.
You may also submit your written submissions to the Department of Basic Education in one of the following ways:
By delivering it by hand to: Attention Ms N Tom, department of basic education, Sol Plaatje House, 123 Schoeman Street, Pretoria, 0001
By posting it to: Attention Ms N Tom, department of basic education, Private Bag X895, Pretoria, 0001.
By sending an e-mail to: [email protected]
By completing an electronic form on: www.thutong.doe.gov.za
By uploading a file to: www.thutong.doe.gov.za